Order of Service 

Processional

Invocation

Welcome and Greeting

Scripture Reading

Homily

Vows

Exchange of Rings

The Wedding Prayer

The Declaration of Marriage

Benediction

Embrace and Kiss

Introduction of the Couple

Recessional

The Ceremony 

Processional

Overture from "Musick for the Royal Fireworks" (G.F. Handel)    

The service for an older couple is usually smaller and less formal than for other weddings. Often, the wedding occurs in a home.  Instead of a traditional processional, the minister may announce the gathering, and the ceremony begins. In a church, the bride and groom may wish to enter the sanctuary together, or the bride may be escorted down the aisle by one or more of her children. 

Invocation

The minister says: Heavenly Father, we thank you for your presence in this place and for these your servants who come before you to be united in the bonds of marriage. We thank you that they have found each other to enjoy the benefits of companionship and to experience the thrill of love. We praise you for the gift of your Son Jesus Christ to be our Savior. As we gather in this place, we remember his love for us.  We also remember that as he has loved us, we are also called to love one another. Let this kind of sacrificial love be the enduring quality of the love which N. and N. share as they begin life together as husband and wife. In the name of Jesus, we pray. Amen. 

Welcome and Greeting

The minister says: On behalf of N. and N., I welcome you to this joyous occasion. That you are here is an expression of your friendship and support as this couple begins a new and exciting chapter in their lives. You are never too old for love, and love is what keeps you young at heart. N. and N. are two of the youngest people I've met! Therefore, with pleasure, I welcome you to these holy moments. 

Scripture Reading

The minister says: Listen for the word of God in Romans 12:1-2, 9-18: I appeal to you therefore, brothers and sisters, by the mercies of God, to present your bodies as living sacrifice, holy and acceptable to God, which is your spiritual worship. Do not be conformed to this world, but be transformed by the renewing of your minds, so that you may discern what is the will of God -- what is good and acceptable and perfect.  

Let love be genuine; hate what is evil, hold fast to what is good; love one another with mutual affection; outdo one another in showing honor. Do not lag in zeal, be ardent in spirit, serve the Lord. Rejoice in hope, be patient in suffering, persevere in prayer. Contribute to the needs of the saints; extend hospitality to strangers. 

Bless those who persecute you; bless and do not curse them. Rejoice with those who rejoice, weep with those who weep. Live in harmony with one another; do not be haughty, but associate with the lowly; do not claim to be wiser than you are. Do not repay anyone evil for evil, but take thought for what is noble in the sight of all. If it is possible, so far as it depends on you, live peaceably with all. 

Homily

The minister says: I am the resurrection and the life. 

Not so very long ago, you couldn't imagine standing here before God and these loved ones. At one time, joy seemed like something forever lost to you. But gradually you began to heal, until you were again able to laugh, to love, to make plans, to hope. Now God, who is able to do far more than all we can ask or think, has given you a precious companion to share your life.  

"I am the resurrection and the life." That's how Jesus describes the unquenchable vitality of the gift he brings. You each have been through your own Good Friday experiences. But now it is like Easter for you. God has turned your mourning into dancing (Psalm 30:11). The sheer delight you take in each other speaks of God's love and grace working to resurrect hope and joy in your lives. 

You know better than I that the future will be different from the past, in ways that both please and displease you. All newlyweds face the challenge of adjusting to many changes all at once, some expected and others that will surprise you. You each are joining new families with cherished traditions and expectations. Therein is the potential for the doubling of joy, as well as perhaps a little stress: 

"We've never opened presents on Christmas Eve! I want Christmas morning!" 

"But you always come here for Easter." 

If they have a hard time learning to share you, it's only because they love you so much. But equipped with glad and generous hearts, as your families are, everyone will soon adjust. As you know, life is too short to fuss over the small stuff. 

This is your turn, time to give yourselves to each other, time to do the volunteer work that serves God and satisfies your productivity need, as well as time to enjoy the families you now share. With all of them, I wish you health and happiness in this new chapter of your lives.

Vows

The minister says to the groom: N., will you please repeat after me:

     N., we have come together late in our lives.

     I wish it could have been earlier, much earlier.

     But today, as I become your husband,

     I give thanks to God for bringing us together.

     And I promise to make up for lost time

     by loving you with all my heart and soul.

     I promise to not sweat the small stuff,

     to not be set in my ways,

     to get out of my ruts,

     to live life earnestly and passionately.

     I promise, as your husband,

     to be your friend and companion

     for all of our days.

The minister says to the bride: N., will you please repeat after me:

     N., we have come together late in our lives.

     I wish it could have been earlier, much earlier.

     But today, as I become your wife,

     I give thanks to God for bringing us together.

     And I promise to make up for lost time

     by loving you with all my heart and soul.

     I promise to not sweat the small stuff,

     to not be set in my ways,

     to get out of my ruts,

     to live life earnestly and passionately.

     I promise, as your wife,

     to be your friend and companion

     for all of our days. 

Exchange of Rings

The minister, taking the rings, says: These rings are an outward and visible sign of an inward and invisible grace which unites two hearts in love.  They are especially significant because the circle of these rings is a symbol of the unending and enduring quality of the love which N. and N. share today. 

The bride places the ring on the fourth finger of the groom's left hand and repeats these words after the minister: N., I give you this ring as a sign of my love and faithfulness.  

The groom places the ring on the fourth finger of the bride's left hand and repeats these words after the minister: N., I give you this ring as a sign of my love and faithfulness. 

The minister says: Let us pray. Bless, O God, the giving of these rings, that they who give them and they who wear them may live in love and fidelity, and continue in your service all the days of their lives, through Jesus Christ our Lord. Amen. 

The Wedding Prayer

The minister says: God of love, shower your grace upon N. and N., who come to you and pledge themselves to live together in holy marriage. Give them wisdom and devotion in ordering their common life, that each may be to the other a strength in need, a counselor in perplexity, a comfort in sorrow and a companion in joy. When selfishness shows itself, grant generosity. When mistrust is a temptation, give patience and gentleness. When suffering becomes their lot, give them a strong faith and abiding hope. Give to them such fulfillment of their mutual affection that their marriage will be an example and an inspiration to us all. In the name of the Father, and of the Son, and of the Holy Spirit. Amen.

 The Declaration of Marriage

The minister says: N. and N., inasmuch as you have come to this place to be joined in holy matrimony, and have expressed your love and commitment for each in your vows and the giving of rings, by virtue of the authority vested in me as a minister of the gospel, I declare you to be husband and wife, united in the pure and holy bonds of wedlock. 

Benediction

The minister continues: May you grow together, enriching your lives with the friendship you have formed. May you grow together, enriching the world with the love you now share. Amen. 

Embrace and Kiss

The minister says to the groom: You may kiss the bride. They embrace and kiss. 

Introduction of the Couple

The minister says: I am greatly pleased to introduce for the first time Mr. and Mrs. N., or N. and N. N.  

Recessional

 "Toccata" (Dubois)